The Psychology
of the Horse
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Understanding behavior.
Improving communication.
Building true partnership.
Most problems in horsemanship are coming from the wrong observation.
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They come from what we think is happening-
rather than what is actually happening.
Our impulse response is often the wrong response.
The Shift
The work is not about becoming dominant.
It is about becoming aware.
A quiet, clear mind creates clear communication.
A reactive mind creates noise.
When we change the way we think, we change the way we feel-which changes the way our horse responds.
You are the most influential trainer in your horse's life.
How you are in everyday life, is how you are with your horse.
You must start with your own behavior, if you are to change your horse's behavior.
This approach is not about quick results or rigid systems.
It is for those who are willing to slow down, to notice more, and to develop something that lasts.
Changing behavior starts with understanding.
In my experience, all problems between horse and humans, exist because of a weakness in one of these areas:
Language, Leadership, Love or Logic
Connection, Communication, or Condition.
This is the basis of my teaching.
Personality:
You are an individual, born and developed with certain tendencies. Your horse is also an individual.
There are four main quadrants mammalian personality falls into, effected by natural personality at birth as well as life experiences.
For the horse and human we can now scientifically map this out and predict compatibility. No personality is right or wrong, but knowing the strengths and weaknesses of each can prepare you to be aware of tendencies.
This knowledge has so effected my view of every horse interaction, it became an essential part of how I teach. I offer in my courses tests and charts to understand this dynamic.
"Whether I am working with a horse at liberty or painting from reference, the goal is the same:
to reveal something honest."
Horses and art have always asked the same thing of me—to slow down, to observe, and to listen beyond what is obvious. This work is not about control.
It is about relationship.
Relationship doesn't mean to coddle your horse. It means to be the loving leader they need, using the right language and logically planning for their success.
In order to reach the highest level of potential for both of you, connecting with trust, communicating clearly and routine conditioning must be applied.
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Observation over force
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Communication over control
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Art of horsemanship is a translation of truth
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Find the Unity between horse and human